This book testifies to the accomplishments of Republican studies during the 1980s and early 1990s. Reviewing many aspects of contemporary research, it covers the transition from the late Qing dynasty to the Republic; agricultural development from the mid-1890s to 1937; the political aspects of twentieth century Chinese urban history; the problems of capacity building for Republican era governments; political party organization, finance, and military matters; Shanghai''s modernization process; the politics of the Kuomintang during the Nanjing decade and its relationship with fascism; and Republican-era diplomacy.